EFFECT OF MATERNAL LITERACY ON NUTRITIONAL STATUS BETWEEN CHILDREN OF 0-5
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Study
Malnutrition is a pathological state resulting from inadequate nutrition. It is broadly classified as under nutrition, as a result of insufficient intake of energy and other nutrients, and over nutrition due to excessive consumption of energy and other nutrients.(UNICEF,1998). While nearly 12 million children under five die each year in developing countries mainly from preventable causes, the death of over 6 million (55%), are either directly or factors is the maternal literacy level. While a mother is a provider of primary care that the child needs during the first 6 years of its life, the type of care she provides depends to a large extent on her knowledge and understanding of some aspect of basic nutrition and health care.(Asindi AA, Ibia EO, Udo JJ,2010) Furthermore, it has been documented that children born of educated mothers have lower mortality risk because educated mothers tend to delay and have their child at a later age than uneducated women. In addition, they are more likely to be assertive and to play greater role in intrafamily decision making in favor of their children’s need. In addition their husbands tend to be more economically better off, than husbands of uneducated women. ( Chen LC; Bhuiya A,2008) While educated women have earlier and more effective use of health service, evidence has been documented that maternal education is an important determinant of infant and child mortality.(UN 2011). More still, the National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) in 2008 revealed a strong relationship between maternal literacy and nutritional status of the children surveyed. It was reported that, while literacy levels have continued to increase, the urban areas have fared better relative to rural areas.( Population Census,2008) Similarly, a report of the mid-point assessment of the attainment of the MDG’s further revealed that female literacy lag behind males and more severely in primary school completion rate, mainly due to gender inequality among other reasons.( Mid-point assessment of the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria 2000-2007.)